Category: Diary

1765 July 25 (Thursday).  In the Morning came old Mr. Dunlop, Mr. Zebulun Rice, Lt. Baker and two Hands with him (a man and a Boy), Mr. Thomas Twitchell, and his son, together with Silas Hill, with their Sickles and reap’d down my Field of Rye.  Mr. Ballantine and son leave us.  Billy and Breck set out for Townshend: and have my Mare to carry their Luggage.  Ensign Josiah Rice here to inform me that I may have a Load of English Hay of him.  Nathan Kenny (at my Request) comes to help John Rake in the Meadows.  P.M. Jonas likewise here and get in a Load of Hay for me.  At Eve I was at Neighbour Pratts for some Help, having no Body to get in my Hay.  Hear per Mr. John Green that Capt. Buckminster of Brookfield is dead.

1765 July 26 (Friday).  [No entry.]

1765 July 27 (Saturday).  Neighbour Newton with Assistance of Neighbour Charles Rice and son Zebulun took up my Rye, and he brought it in.  Neighbour Baker (Capt. Wood allowing him a Hand to work half a Day) fetched me a Load of Hay from Ensign Josiah Rice, for which I am to give him 4 Dollars.  Lieutenant also kindly assisted about the Rye.

1765 July 28 (Sunday).  It grows a dry Time, and the Knoles turn Sear; the Pastures Shrink much, and the late Signs of Rain go over.  I preached a.m. on Song 7.  Omitted reading the Chapter in form, but gave an Account of it in way of Expository Notes and Reflections.  Administered the Lord’s Supper.  Mrs. Maynard dined with us.  P.M. read Luk. 2 to v. 25 and preached on Ps. 57.7.  In the Eve read a Part of Mr. Bolton to my Family, viz. from Sect. 3, part 1, Ch. 1 into Ch. 2.  My Daughter Baldwin at meeting a.m., not able to go p.m.

1765 July 29 (Monday).  Lt. Baker came for his Waggon, but was obliged, first, to draw out the Load of Hay which he brought me from Ensign Rice and Spread it into the Sun, it not having been sufficiently made.  John is hilling yet.  I am much hindered about the Rice Hay, but John and I get it in.

1765 July 30 (Tuesday).  I payd Ensign Rice 4 Dollars for his Hay.  Mr. Fessenden is returned from Cape Ann.  I saw him at Capt. Maynards.  He said he would come here, but he went to Mr. Marytns.  At Eve Jonathan Cook came to me with a Sorrowful Message from Capt. Maynard that his youngest Child was drowned and dead and prayed me to go over.  I went hastily.  Found the Child laid out as a Corps.  It was little Robert-Breck Maynard in his 16th Month — fell into a Kittle of Wort (not hot) about 4 o’Clock p.m., no one in the room; Hope, the Negro Girl, who had the Care of him, was gone to get Apples: when She came back, She pulled him out — but he expired.  May God Sanctifie His holy Hand!  I prayed, Counselled them all; supped and then returned.

1765 July 31 (Wednesday).  My Wife went over to Capt. Maynards.  Afterwards they Sent for Suse also.  P.M. Mr. Townshend worked for me; at the Barn in moving Hay that Seemed to be Spoiling; and with some Assistance of Enoch Rice, he got up a Load of Hay from the Newton-Meadow — received from Mr. Holbrook.

1765 August 1 (Thursday).  Capt. Maynard burys his Child, Robert-Breck.  My Wife and I had Mr. Nurse’s Chair and Horse.  I prayed at the Funeral — John a Bearer.  Mr. Hall of Sutton dined with us.  God is very gracious in sending a refreshing shower, when the Earth was become very dry.  Miss Betty and Katy Bucknam and lodged here.

1765 August 2 (Friday).  Thomas Arnold, though somewhat late in the morning, came and offers to work again: and mows in the Newton Meadow.  Mr. Fessenden dines here.

1765 August 3 (Saturday).  Thomas works again.  Mowes in Bent meadow.  Brother Hicks here, going to a Sheriff with a Writ to be served on Judge Danforth — and returns back.

1765 August 4 (Sunday).  Read Song 3 to v. 7 and preached upon it.  Mr. Kendal comes to Meeting.  He and his wife and Miss Betsy Gott dine here.  P.M. read Luk. 2 from v. 25.  Preached on Job 14.5.6.  At Eve read further in Mr. Bolton.

1765 August 5 (Monday).  My Daughter Badlwin Seems to be somewhat better.

1765 August 6 (Tuesday).  I rode up to Mr. Joseph Miles’s to attend a Fast there on account of his low Condition and yet he appears to be somewhat better, especially as to his Mind.  I opened the Solemnity with Prayer.  Mr. Davis of Holden preached a very Suitable sermon from Job 23.3.  O that I know etc.  Mr. Hutchinson prayed p.m. and Mr. Fish preached from Act. 4.12.  Shewing fervently that our Dependence must be only on Christ and not upon any Thing of our own, for Acceptance with God.  After the Exercises Several of us had Discourse with Mr. Miles.  Mr. Sumner and his Wife were there, Madam Cushing etc., a large Assembly.  May God accept our Offerings!  Mr. Frost of Mill-River was expected, but did not come.  I returned at Evening.

1765 August 7 (Wednesday).  Mr. Morse brought up 4 Gallons of Train Oyl (18/ per Gallon, where he bought it).

1765 August 8 (Thursday).  Thomas brought home another Load of Hay.  Master Cushing made us a Visit and lodges here.

1765 August 9 (Friday).  Master goes to his School.  N.B. Mr. John Wood brought up Paint for me, from Mr. Moffat — part of which was lost out of the Pail in bringing.  P.M. Billy from Townshend and brought home my Oxen.  Thomas and John finish Haying.

1765 August 10 (Saturday).  Thomas plows the west field.  P.M. came Mr. Hawley of Mashpee, accompanyed by Mr. Fessenden of Framingham.  The latter returns — the former lodges here.

1765 August 11 (Sunday).  I read Ps. 92.  Mr. Hawley a.m. on Jude v. 21.  My Cousen Sadler and Miss Betty Gott dined here.  P.M. read Luk. 3.  Mr. Hawley preached on 1 Pet. 2.21.

1765 August 12 (Monday).  Mr. Hawley pursues his great Journey to Onohoquage, designing to take with him young Mr. Moseley of Oanda, as a missionary to them.  Billy leaves us to go to Townshend and John goes with him to Lancaster to bring back my Horse.  Thomas Arnold here and thrashes Rye.  Plows also in the West Field.  Mrs. Salder leaves us and goes to Mr. Z. Rice’s.  Wrote to Capt. Adams of Lincoln and Sent it by Mr. Joseph Willard of Grafton.

1765 August 13 (Tuesday).  Thomas plows.  I preached at Mr. Zebulun Rice’s on Is. 1.18.

1765 August 14 (Wednesday).  I rode over to Mr. Martyns Lecture.  Dined there.  Mr. Harrington preached on Rom. 10.4.  N.B. his Wife there, as were Mr. Morse and his Wife, and Daughter — and Dr. Rice.  I delivered to Mr. Harrington his volumes of Montesquieus Spirit of Laws: and borrowed Turnbull.  My Daughter Baldwin rode with me as far as Capt. Maynards, where I took her at Eve and brought her home.  Thomas trashes Oates and winnows.

1765 August 15 (Thursday).  Thomas works for me still.  I rode to Mr. Isaac Johnsons of Southborough.  Carryed Suse.  Deacon Tainter accompanyed.  There I preached to Miss Ruth Thomas, Mr. Johnsons Sister, who has been Bedrid for a great While.  My Text was Cant. 8.5, former part.  My Daughter goes to Mr. Stones to tarry over Night.  Deacon and I return home.  N.B. Madam Thatcher was there also.

1765 August 16 (Friday).  Heard of great Tumult in Boston, by a Mob on the 14th on account of the Stamp Office.  Thomas moves my Fence at the Meadow, to the Brook, against Mr. Andrews; he having Set up his part of the Fence between us, last Year.  Sent John to Southborough for Suse, who returned at Eve.

1765 August 17 (Saturday).  Thomas went twice with my Team to the Ministerial Lot, and brought rails (55) and posts (50).

1765 August 18 (Sunday).  Read Song 8 from the 8th v.  Preached on v. 8 to 12 a. and p.m.  Read p.m. Luk. 4.  Mrs. Maynard dined here.  At Eve Old Mrs. Bradish turned in because of the Rain and lodged here.  N.B. Lucy So poorly as not to go to meeting.

1765 August 19 (Monday).  Thomas fetches more Rails and Posts from the ministerial Lott (55 Rails and 50 Posts).

1765 August 20 (Tuesday).  Thomas Still carts Posts and Rails from the Ministerial Lot.  I rode over to Capt. Maynard and told him I must either have 50£ of money for Billy, to be carryed by Joseph Warrin to him tomorrow morning, or else I must be obliged to send him my Oxen.  Mr. Fessenden and I rode to Ministers Meeting at Southborough.  See Minutes of the Association.  Mr. Martyn absent.  He is gone to Littleton and Concord, with his Wife.  Mr. Barrett came.  Old Mrs. Thatcher is at Mr. Stone’s.  Every Conversation is filled with the late Riotous proceedings in Boston — hanging Mr. A.O. in Effigy: destroying the Stamp Office — and much dammaging the House, Gardens and Furniture of Mr. Secritary Oliver etc. etc.  I lodged at Mr. Stones.

1765 August 21 (Wednesday).  Lecture by Mr. Wheeler on Joh. 4.20.  After Dinner Mr. Fessenden returned with me and drank Tea with us.  Then he proceeded to Mr. Martyns.  I have word that Capt. Maynard pays 50£ for Billy — therefore my Cattle are preserved and Thomas goes with them and my Mare to Thad. Fay’s and brings me 300 of Bricks.  My son Baldwin here last night and lodges here again.

1765 August 22 (Thursday).  Mr. Baldwin goes to Worcester Court, and will thence home.  His Wife with us.  Thomas and John mow Bushes.  Mr. B. Tainters Wife here — dines — at Tea.  My Wife and Daughter Baldwin ride to Dr. Balls, to consult him about her Case.

1765 August 23 (Friday).  Thomas thrashes Flax and clears up the Seed.  Mows Bushes.  N.B. I Send Letters to my Brother Samuel and Mr. Moffat per Mr. Moses Harrington of Grafton.  Thomas to his Master Grouts at Eve.

1765 August 24 (Saturday).  Thomas returns but it proves a rainy Day.  He does various necessary Chores.  Carrys out and Spreads Flax etc.

1765 August 25 (Sunday).  Because my Exercises were to be grounded on only one v. each of them therefore I did not read in Course but I read, a.m. Ps. 45, which was Similar to our Chapter.  I preached on Song 8.13.  Master Cushing dined here, as did Samuel Brigham.  P.M. I read Luk. 5 and preached on Song 14.  At Eve read Mr. Bolton Sect. 3, part 1, Ch. 4 and 5.

1765 August 26 (Monday).  Received a Letter from Mr. John Moffatt of Boston, per Mr. Moses Harrington of Grafton, dated the 24th and informing (among other Things) that the uneasiness among the people in Boston increases; owing to some Discoverys made which Seem to prove who they are that have misrepresented the Country — but time will soon proclaim, says he, what is but just talked of this Day.  Mr. Harrington says it is apprehended that there will be a stir to night, and that they will go to the Gov____r’s, Lt. Governors, Mr. Storys and Capt. Hallowells.  P.M. Visit and pray with Mrs. Wheelock.  Thomas and John mow Bushes.  Some time before night My Daughter Forbes and Miss Hannah came from Brookfield and drank Tea here.

1765 August 27 (Tuesday).  The Rain prevented my Daughter’s Journeying a.m. but p.m. She and the Young Woman with her, sat out for Boston.  Thomas at Bushes.  John to Drurys Mill.  N.B. I wrote by my Daughter Forbes to Mr. Quincy and to Mr. Holbrook, desiring to be informed respecting the state of the Town.

1765 August 28 (Wednesday).  Mr. Wheelock brings me a Letter of Yesterday from Samuel in which he informs me of another Tumult in Boston Monday night — that they who formed the mob, first invaded Mr. William Storys House in King street, proceeded to Benjamin Hallowell Esq. and thence went down in Quest of Richardson, who lives in Brother Parkmans, but not finding him at home, went to his Honours Lt. Governor Hutchinsons where they made sad Havock and Seized on his Money.  From thence to Mr. Paxtons, but he was not at home.  The House was redeemed by the owner, Mr. Waterhouse [Marginal notation: It was Mr. Palmers and not Waterhouse’s.]  A melancholly Occurrence!  Much to be deplored!  Thomas still at work — Clearing etc. at the Island.